Pavenham Park Golf Club

This parkland course is getting better every year and is a good challenge for all golfers. The only down side is that with a large intake of new members the course is getting very busy and consequently resulting in slow rounds

A discovery & a nice one. I dont really know where to start as there is so much to tell.

First, why Pavenham Park Gold Club in Bedfordshire, 70 miles away from Twickenham, 2 hours on M25 (accident J17), having to leave home very early ????

Well, I was attracted by a professional(Samantha Head, Winner of 6 World Tour titles) sharing her "Tour Experience" & taking the 4 of us on the course to play the last 9 holes. We also got lots of tips which we put into practice during our round.

Pavenham Park Golf Club is not very old (only 18 years), situated a few miles North of Bedford. It is located on the estate where the old Manor House used to be. The Manor House was built around the time of William The Conqueror (famous 1066)hence this is wy I feel a connection with its ancestry.

As its name suggests,Pavenham Park GC is a parkland course, a very beautiful one. Its entrance feels grandiose with local stone walls, iron fence & gate. As you drive to the Clubhouse, you go through the "old pheasantry" & you will see many pheasants, beautiful trees leading to the large Car Park which blends in the scenery. A lovely pink path bordered with plants/flowers leads to the Clubhouse/ProShop and patio area (slightly elevated). On the right handside is a modern & very attractive water feature, a work of art. From this point you can see the 18th green and the splendid views of the tranquil rural counryside of North Bedforshire.

The Clubhouse is very modern, pleasant, sunny ,light,with an attractive decor & furniture, nice colour scheme. Although modern, there is a large fireplace which give a cosy feeling. The bar blends in well, so do the different seating, eating areas, The walls have glass (?) panels with the name of the winners engraved on them is a brownish red ink & that really blends in with the decor which gives it a very "classy" look. The food & service are excellent.

Changing rooms are very modern & first class.

Proshop, so friendly & welcoming (they are now displaying some TSG flyers. Samantha Head had never heard of The Social Golfer, but I made sure she knows who we are).

What about the Golf Course?

You will easily find you way as the signage is clear & attractive at the same time.


The course is very pleasant, very tranquil, large fairways, well laid out, lots of bunkers, some enormous ones (by the 18th). The mature trees provide the definitions & can be in the way. The views are very spectacular & it feels vast, a haven of peace.

We only played the last 9 holes, but did have look at some of the other holes as we went to the vast open driving range with our Pro before lunch , for practice & warm up & advice. There were some very big round markers (a bit like huge dart boards) for distance. There are some driving nets as well, putting practice green & chipping area (by the clubhouse).

Some of the holes have huge stones, with a plaque to commemorate Ian Poulter/Justin Rose having driven these holes (could have been for the opening of the Golf course, cant remember, or maybe some special visit).

The greens are some of the very best I have seen recently. Very well cut, some varied shapes & ondulations, clean 1st cut. The rough not too severe, but some of the holes have some rough between the fairways & the reach of the greens & apparently the Ladies members are not too happy about that.... but will their voice be strong enough for it to change ? Will keep you posted as I shall return to Pavenham Park Golf Club/course, in fact I have been invited back for the Ladies Christmas party, will have a game at the same time...

The course present a challenge for all level of golfers. There are a few water features as well, with wooden bridges.

As you have guessed, Pavenham Park is a course I like, everything about it is pleasant, it invites you to have an enjoyable round & everything else that goes with a golf day to remember.

If you ae travelling North of Bedford, do try to have a round at Pavenham Park, I highly recommend it, you wont be disapointed. The welcome is warm & friendly, the course a nice challenge.


END of Review...... (hope you read it, I could write another page, but I better not as I believe the "background editors" will be at work).